Picture Book Playlist: noun. A list of picture books hand-selected and reviewed by picture book fanatic and author Danna Smith to be read to and enjoyed by kids of all ages, anytime, anywhere. What's on your playlist?

Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer

Many young children have heard poetry in nursery rhymes or in the lyrics of a song, however, like Daniel, they may not know what a poem is. Today, my selection is a new hit that introduces poetry to children and helps them to see their world in a new way. Daniel Finds a Poem was published on Feb 16, 2016, by Nancy Paulsen Books.

Summary:

What is poetry? Is it glistening morning dew? Spider thinks so. Is it crisp leaves crunching? That’s what Squirrel says. Could it be a cool pond, sun-warmed sand, or moonlight on the grass? Maybe poetry is all of these things, as it is something special for everyone—you just have to take the time to really look and listen. The magical thing is that poetry is in everyone, and Daniel is on his way to discovering a poem of his own after spending time with his animal friends. What is poetry? If you look and listen, it’s all around you!

Playlist tags:

poetry, poems, nature, animals, fiction

What I love about this book:

Daniel Finds a Poem is really two books in one. First, it’s a book about discovering poetry and second, it’s a book about animals in their natural habitat.

The story opens with Daniel noticing a sign in the city park announcing a Poetry in the Park event. Daniel wonders out loud, “what is poetry?” The animals and insects take turns answering Daniel’s question with lovely well-chosen words. Daniel soon learns that Frog’s idea of poetry is completely different than that of Squirrel’s, but both are equally valid and beautiful. By the time the reader reaches the end of the book, Daniel and his animal friends have created a poem.

Children reading this book will be thrilled to learn that they can find a poem just like Daniel did if they watch and listen to the world around them.

The beautiful illustrations are done in collage and oil of deep, rich colors which perfectly showcase the wonder of Daniel’s world.

I recommend this book for your poetry playlist as an introduction to poetry for children prior to them learning about specific poetic forms.